Date:  Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Contact: Rick Gifford, WSDOT Traffic Engineer, (509) 577-1985 (Yakima)
Amy Danberg, I-90 Communications, (509) 577-1944 (Yakima)

KITTITAS – The Washington State Department of Transportation has expanded its ability to monitor roadway conditions and help the public plan their trips on I-90 across Snoqualmie Pass during nighttime hours. WSDOT and Signal Electric Crews, Inc. of Kent finished installing eight low-light traffic cameras on I-90 west of Snoqualmie Summit (milepost 46.8) to Cle Elum (milepost 84.6).

The new traffic cameras are equipped with infrared illuminators to provide around-the-clock views of highway conditions. The public can view these cameras from the mountain pass condition Web page or WSDOT’s statewide traveler information page.

“Not only will WSDOT crews have a better idea of conditions on the roadway at night, drivers can also plan their evening trips based on the travel and weather conditions they see from the cameras and other information on our Web site,” said Rick Gifford, WSDOT Traffic Engineer.

The $60,000 camera replacement project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. For more information about the I-90 Camera Replacement project or other federally funded projects, please visit our project Web page.

Washington received $491 million in federal ARRA funds for state highway investments, which included over $55 million for I-90 preservation. WSDOT will distribute $170 million in ARRA funds by July 1. Washington state is administering the Recovery Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire has created a new Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov, enabling every Washingtonian to see where their tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden, a proven and aggressive Inspector General, to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1

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